Method of removing alcohol-solu



Patented Apr. 5, 1949 METHOD OF REMOVING ALCOHOL-SOLU- BLE STAINS FROM FABRICS Anna Walker Miller, Los Angeles, Calif.

No Drawing. Application April 16, 1945, Serial No. 588,709

3 Claims. 1

My invention relates to methods of removing stains from fabrics and has as an object the provision of a method of removing from fabrics stains, soluble in alcohol, made by inks, iodine and the like without leaving the objectionable rust-like stain which the use of conventional solutions and cleaning methods leave on the cleaned fabric.

It is a well-known fact that when ink spots or iodine spots are cleaned from fabrics by conventional methods and solutions there remains on the fabric, after the cleaning operation, a rustlike stain.

I have found that it is possible to effect the removal of such spots from fabrics without leaving such rust-like stains by the method of first saturating the spotted portion of the fabric with an alcohol solvent such as isopropyl alcohol, and, after allowing it to stand until the ink or iodine creating the spot has been substantially dissolved, the spotted area of the fabric is then dipped in or saturated with an aqueous solution of carbolic acid and gently rubbed.

I find that the strength of the carbolic acid solution should 'be relatively greater for colored fabrics than for White fabrics. An optimum strength of the carbolic acid solution for white fabrics is carbolic acid of 10% strength further diluted with water to the extent of 15 mgs. of water to 5 ounces of the acid, while for colored fabrics the water proportion is further increased to 30 mgs. to 5 ounces of the carbolic acid. I find those proportions to provide maximum efficiency. In fact, those proportions are somewhat critical inasmuch as weaker solutions are relatively inefficient and stronger solutions deteriorate the fabric.

While I am aware that solutions of alcohol and carbolic acid have been used for such purposes, as far as I am aware those ingredients have heretofore been admixed into a single solution and simultaneously applied to the spotted fabric. While such solutions have, in a measure, been successful in removing the main spot or stain, they have left a sort of rust discoloration of the fabric. I find that this rust-like stain may be completely eliminated only if the alcohol is first applied separately and then the carbolic acid solution applied as a subsequent step.

I claim: 5 1. The method of removing alcohol soluble stains from fabrics which comprises first saturating the stained area with an alcohol solvent, a1- lowing said solvent to dissolve the staining material, and subsequently saturating the stained area with a solution consisting of -30 mgs. of water to 5 ounces of 10% carbolic acid.

2. The method of removing alcohol soluble ink stains and the like from white fabrics which comprises first saturating the stained area with isopropyl alcohol, allowing the alcohol to dissolve the staining material, and subsequently saturating the stained area with a solution consisting of 15 mgs. of water to 5 ounces of 10% carbolic acid.

3. The method of removing alcohol soluble ink stains and the like from colored fabrics which comprises first saturating the stained area with isopropyl alcohol, allowing the alcohol to dissolve the staining material, and subsequently saturating the stained area with a solution consisting of mgs. of water to 5 ounces of 10% carbolic acid.

ANNA WALKER MILLER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

FOREIGN PATENTS Country Date Great Britain 1897 OTHER REFERENCES Number 

